Dorm Room Safety


Appliance Permission Guidelines

 ITEMS IN ROOMS Student Dorm Room Common Room with Appropriate Built-in Countertops Provided by Williams College (does Not include end tables, bookshelves, windowsills, etc.) Kitchen Prohibited Outside use only / 25ft from the building Note*
Anything Provided by the College for your Room (i.e. Microfridge) Yes Yes Yes
Personal microwaves and refrigerators (aside from what college provides) * Yes *Banned in all locations including common rooms
Clock Yes Yes Yes
Sound and Computer Equipment Yes Yes Yes
Television Yes Yes Yes
DVD Player Yes Yes Yes
CD Player Yes Yes Yes
Video Games Yes Yes Yes
Hair Drier Yes Yes Yes
Curling Iron Yes Yes Yes
Clothes Iron Yes Yes Yes
Electric Fan Yes Yes Yes
Electric Blanket Yes Yes Yes
Hot air popcorn machine Yes Yes Yes
Cool mist humidifier Yes Yes Yes
Oil/Scented Diffusers that do not use a Heating element Yes Yes Yes
Wall-Plug Type Oil/Scented Diffuser Yes Yes Yes
Toaster Yes Yes
Coffee Maker Yes Yes
Electric Kettle Yes Yes
Electric Rice Cooker (hot pot) Yes Yes
Sandwich maker Yes Yes
Slow Cooker (Crock-Pot, and similar) Yes Yes
Any appliance with a heating element not specifically listed Yes
All items normally used for cooking on the stove or in an oven (Pots/Pans/etc) Yes
All Stovetops & electric griddles (electric, gas, etc.) Yes
Gas, electric or charcoal grills Outside
Smoking & Vaping Outside
Butane Torch (anything bigger than a personal lighter or standard refill) Yes
Lighter (standard) Yes Yes Yes
Heating Lamp Yes
Air Fryer Yes
Oil Fryers Yes
Pressure Cooker Yes
Space Heater Yes
Plug-in Scented Oil Diffuser Yes
Wax Heater Yes
Campstove Yes
Halogen Lamp (60 Watts or more) Yes
Halogen Lamp (<60 Watts) Yes Yes Yes
Candle Yes
Propane Cylinder (all sizes) Yes
Butane Cylinder (all sizes) Yes
Holiday Lights (limited to 3 strands, not on sprinkler pipes, not through doors/windows, or outside) Yes Yes
Live Trees and wreaths Yes
Lava Lamps Yes
Swiming Pools & Hot Tubs Yes
Air Conditioners Yes* *Unless approved by Accessible Education Office
Fish Tank Yes* Yes* Yes* *Allowed “anywhere” including in dorms ONLY IF they are under 5 Gallon capacity
Animals (excluding Service Animals) Yes* *Unless approved by Accessible Education Office
Personal fire escape ladders Yes

*Torchiere type lamps with a halogen bulb, and other lamps with a halogen bulb greater than 60 watts, are not allowed. Incandescent light bulbs should not exceed 60 watts unless there is specific UL approval for a higher wattage.

Violations of any of the above policies will be fined and the item(s) will be immediately removed . The fines vary depending on the number of violations. Confiscated items will be donated to a local charity or discarded. If a student has any questions regarding the acceptability of a particular appliance, the Manager of Safety and Environmental Compliance should be contacted at x2406.

The wiring in some of the College’s older residence areas may not support heavy use of electrical appliances. If this is a problem in a residence, the College may need to limit the use of certain appliances and will consult with the students in the residence to resolve the problem.

Fire Safety

Williams is concerned about the safety of every individual on campus and therefore has very strict fire safety regulations. Students who do not observe these regulations jeopardize the safety of others on this campus and therefore, will be subject to disciplinary action and/or fines.

State Law requires that hallways and stairways be completely clear at all times. This means that you can not store anything in these areas (examples: shoes, clothes racks, boxes, furniture, and bicycles). The Williamstown Building Inspector and the Williamstown Fire Chief enforce these regulations. Items left in the hallways and stairwells will be removed and held in the Office of Safety & Environmental Compliance located in the Facilities Building (60 Latham Street). Repeat violators will be fined $25.00 for each subsequent violation.

Fire and life safety programs must receive community–wide support in order to be effective. Cooperation from students at fire drills, announced and unannounced, is expected. Students who do not vacate in a timely manner are subject to disciplinary action, and to the possibility of additional drills, with the individual house responsible for all costs associated with repeated drills.

Students who misuse, tamper or otherwise disturb fire safety equipment, including smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, pull stations, and fire doors, or activate fire alarms due to smoking are subject to a $250.00 fine as well at the cost of restoring the equipment. Smoke machines are not allowed in student residences for any reason. Alarm activations due to using a smoke machine will result in a $250.00 fine. These students will be referred to the Dean’s Office and may be dismissed or suspended from the College.

Candles (including those used for religious purposes), incense, and other open flame devices are not allowed in residential buildings. Students who want to light candles for religious purposes need to see the Chaplain’s Office to make arrangements.

Possession of Candles, Incense, Prohibited Appliances, and Halogen Torchiere Lamps
1st offense: $50.00 fine
2nd offense: $100.00 fine
3rd offense: $100.00 fine and referral to the Dean’s Office for disciplinary action.

Grills

Propane and charcoal grills may be used on campus provided that they are at least 25 feet away from all structures.

Flammable Liquids and Gases

Flammable liquids such as lighter fluid and flammable gases such as butane and propane in quantities larger than 4 fl. oz. (118mL) are prohibited in all residential buildings.

Outside Fire Pits

Williams has one area behind the tennis courts near Poker Flats that is designated for outside fires. This area can be reserved by contacting Student Life. Outside fire pits and open burning are not permitted in other areas on campus.

Torches & Extended Reach Lighters

Butane and propane style torches, table-top torches, micro torches and extended reach lighters are prohibited in all residential buildings.

Lighters & Matches

Students are permitted to carry personal “Bic” and “Zippo” style lighters and matches on campus and may use them in areas where smoking is permitted on campus.

Failure to Leave the Building for any Fire Alarm or Fire Drills
1st offense: Written warning.
2nd offense: $100.00 fine
3rd offense: $100.00 fine and referral to the Dean’s Office for disciplinary action.

Tampering with Life Safety Equipment
Students who misuse, tamper or otherwise disturb fire safety equipment, including smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, pull stations, fire doors, activate fire alarms due to smoking or the removal of batteries from carbon monoxide detectors or cover detectors are subject to a $250.00 fine as well at the cost of restoring the equipment. Student will be called into the Safety and Environmental Compliance Office. Students involved in a 2nd offense will be fined $500.00 and will be referred to the Dean’s Office for disciplinary action that may result in suspension or dismissal from the College.

Placing Lights or Items on Sprinkler Pipes or Sprinkler Heads
1st offense: student will be issued a written warning
2nd offense: $50.00 fine
3rd offense: $100.00 fine and referral to the Dean’s Office for disciplinary action.

Improper Disposal of Cigarettes and Smoking Materials
1st offense: $250.00 fine
2nd offense: $500.00 fine and referral to the Dean’s Office for disciplinary action.

Students are held responsible for the condition of their room, suite, or entry common area. If the responsible parties cannot be identified for the improper disposal of cigarettes, the house, entry or suite will be charged with the fine.

All building are smoke–free—Individuals are not permitted to smoke within 25 feet of any building on campus. Students smoking in the residence halls will result in the following fines.
1st offense: $250.00 fine.
2nd offense: $500.00 fine and referred to the Dean’s Office.

These fines and regulations will be progressive over your four years as a student at Williams College. If you have any questions about the policy, please contact the Manager of Safety and Environmental Compliance, at x2406.

Fireworks
Per Massachusetts General Law no person shall possess or explode any fireworks. Students found in possession of fireworks at anytime will be fined $100.00 per incident and referred to the Dean’s Office.

Student Safety
For safety reasons students are not allowed on college roofs, unauthorized balconies, construction sites or permit required confined spaces. Students are also not allowed to engage in unauthorized climbing of buildings or other structures and must not engage in any other related unsafe behavior on campus.  Students found in violation will be fined $250.00 per incident and referred to the Dean’s Office.

Arson
Students that burn academic books, notebooks, papers and other combustible or flammable materials are subject to the following fines in addition to any cleanup or restoration expenses.
1st offense: $250 fine
Each Additional Offense: $500 fine and referral to the Dean’s Office.